Clemson hosts Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Month in October

CLEMSON – Clemson University is hosting a series of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Month events in October to highlight and celebrate the diverse cultures and people represented at the university.

They include an historical tour and lectures related to diversity issues.

“Now more than ever at our institution, these kind of issues are at the forefront,” said Altheia Richardson, executive director of the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center. “People want to talk about these issues, they want to engage around them and they want to do whatever is necessary to make Clemson a more inclusive environment for all of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

Faculty Senate President James McCubbin said, “We would like for our students to emerge from the university and become leaders in their chosen field, and we’ve learned that to be a successful leader, you need input from a variety of perspectives in order to make the best decisions. This month is helpful for developing leaders in our students and graduates.”

The month’s events include:

25th annual International Festival (CANCELED)

George B. Hartzog Jr. Environmental Lecture SeriesMonday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m., Strom Thurmond Institute
Speaker Julian Agyeman, a professor of urban and environmental policy and planning at Tufts University, is the originator of the concept of “just sustainabilities.” Agyeman’s lecture will explore strong link between environmental quality and human equality, social justice and quality of life.

Clemson Be True’s U.Lab Live SessionThursday, Oct. 8, 9:45-11:30 a.m., Academic Success Center, room 118
Students, faculty and staff are invited to deepen their awareness, listening capacity and empathy to change their lives and their communities by participating in a free MIT online course called “U.Lab: Transforming Business, Society and Self.” To register, go to clemson.edu/be-true.

President’s Lecture Series on Leadership and DiversityWednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
Recently named by President Barack Obama to chair the newly created President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans, speaker Freeman Hrabowski will present “Pursuing the Dream: A 50-Year Perspective on Broadening Participation in American Higher Education. Hrawbowski is president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Controversial Topics and Difficult Dialogues: Effectively Engaging Students in Critical Conversations in the Classroom (for Clemson faculty)Monday, Oct. 19, 1:30-4:30 p.m. or 6-9 p.m., Clemson House, Poole Shanklin Room
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-noon, Hendrix Student Center, ballroom A.
This development workshop was created to prepare faculty to effectively engage students in conversations about some of the most important and controversial issues of our time, including race, class, gender relations and gun control. The workshop is based on “Start Talking: A Handbook for Engaging Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education,” which was funded by the Ford Foundation. Faculty must register for the workshop through the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Education.

Dietary Diversity – When there’s room at the table but nothing you can eatThursday, Oct. 22, 6 to 8 p.m., Edgar A. Brown University Union, Palmetto Ballroom
A panel of individuals from across campus will speak about the effects their dietary needs – ranging from food allergies and lifestyle preferences to autoimmune disorders and religious restrictions – have on their daily lives. The panel will discuss the daily accommodations made by people who have special dietary needs and how others can support them.

Clemson University Historical TourFriday, Oct. 30, noon-2 p.m., starts at Calhoun Bottoms (site of Student Organic Farm on Perimeter Road)
This student-led walking tour will provide a comprehensive introduction to Clemson University history, beginning with the Cherokee era and including the stories of enslaved African-Americans, sharecroppers, wage workers and the convict crew whose labor was essential to the establishment of the university. Tours begin every 15 minutes, starting at noon. Last tour starts at 1 p.m.